No Idea How to Activate the Religion side of the game

[Fred CB]

Been playing for years, avoiding religion. Finally got tired of waiting for democracy to incorporate multi-faiths.

I know the Russian game has lavra and shrine. But I get nowhere once I spent that time and then overwhelmed by emissaries from everywhere. Please teach me.

 

[Victoria]

You need to research and then build a holy site. In the holy site you can then build a temple. You can also run a holy site project once you have built a holy site. A holy site gives you 1 great prophet point per turn as does a temple and you need to get 60 great prophet points to get a great prophet that then goes on your holy site to start your religion.
A holy site project, when it finishes will give 10-25 prophet points when it finishes depending on when you start it, it means a faster religion than building a shrine. You will need a temple to build missionaries to spread your religion and a temple (later civic) to get apostles to go into ‘religious combat’ with other religions.

the main issue you have is there are less religions in the game than civilisations so unless playing Arabia you are not guaranteed one. Look in the great people screen to see how well you are doing vs other civs in getting a great prophet

 

[vortical42]

Something else to consider. Early exploration is critical if you want to snag a religion. Finding a natural wonder will cut 6-8 turns off astrology. Finding a relic, being the first to contact religious city states, and faith rewards for tribal villages all help speed up your pantheon, giving you a better chance to get a relevant bonus. Make sure you are using your starting warrior to scout the local neighborhood and consider rushing a scout if you don't have barbarians or an aggressive AI breathing down your neck.

 

[cain3456]

If you're near stone you can build the Stonehenge wonder and get a religion that way.